Pietersen offers to coach schools

LONDON: Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen took to Twitter on Thursday to offer his services as a coach to British schools after expressing concern about falling participation levels.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) published the results of its National Playing Survey on Wednesday, which revealed a seven percent decrease in participation among children aged 14 and under.

Meanwhile, total playing numbers fell from 908,000 to 844,000 compared to the previous season.

“Any school cricket coaches or after school clubs doing winter training, tweet me and I’ll pick a couple next week to join you…?” Pietersen, England’s all-time leading run-scorer, wrote on Twitter.

“Been off Twitter for a while, but couldn’t stay off when I heard about today’s announcement re drop off in cricket participation over here.

“We’ve got a fantastic pool of talent here in UK and thought of kids dropping out and not fulfilling potential is frightening and needs changing. We need to encourage people of all ages to take part. #ILoveCricket.”

Pietersen’s England career was effectively ended in February when he was axed by the ECB, but he hit the headlines last month after publishing a sulphurous autobiography.